Obituary of Shirley Lynda Ellen Brink

 

June 26, 1966 - Berwyn, Alberta

February 13, 2022 - Langdon, Alberta

 

Shirley Lynda Ellen Brink of Langdon, AB passed away peacefully on February 13, 2022 at the age of 55 years.

 

Shirley was the youngest of ten children, born to William and Wasylena “Lena” Fazikos on June 26, 1966 in Berwyn, AB. She was predeceased by her parents, her older brother who was a stillborn, her brother Dennis “Shorty” Fazikos; and her nephews, Barrett Ferriss and Michael Sawyer.

 

Shirley is survived by her husband of 27 years, Richard Brink; her children, Anthony Brink, Jared Brink, and Michaela Brink; as well as her siblings, Allan (Ann) Fazikos, Marianne (Lorne) Ferriss, Orson Fazikos, Gladys Fazikos, Phillip Fazikos, Lucy (Garry) Sawyer and Curtis Fazikos. She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, other extended family, and friends.

 

Not only family, but many friends rallied around her in her time of need. Shirley was forever grateful to them. Shirley was best known for being a listening ear to her family and friends. She was always ready to lend a helping hand and was known for never giving up. So stubborn and independent also come to mind. 

 

As a toddler, Shirley preferred to get her porridge on her face and in her hair; learning to feed herself rather than having someone help her. She was a master at throwing herself on the floor and screaming if you tried to help her dress or put her coat on if she didn’t want to!  She was also very much “daddy’s girl”.

 

As a youth, she was involved in 4-H and public speaking. She was blessed to have her mother as one of her leaders and as her biggest supporter. She was also the “taste tester” and quality control when her mother baked for the Farmers Market in Manning. Her father taught her strength and perseverance. At an early age, he taught her about the land, herbs, and natural healing. This instilled a love of learning about the healing ability of the body, and learning the connections between body, mind, and spirit.

 

She completed courses in Herbology, Reflexology, Massage Therapy, and Essential Oils. This allowed her to spend countless days helping others with what she had learnt over the years. She enjoyed making bath bombs, and many other items with essential oils.  Sometimes her children would work with her. Shirley and her daughter Michaela also enjoyed working with the Brain Injury Society for fifteen plus years, volunteering her time and sharing the knowledge of herbs, oils, and healing.

 

Adventure came calling as soon as she finished high school and saw her move to Yellowknife for two years. From Yellowknife, she moved to Calgary. She served well in various church callings, completing a mission to Tennessee and Kentucky. For a time, she called Nashville home. In 1990, she had the pleasure to take her father to his birthplace in the Ukraine, and also to Czechoslovakia.  In 1995, she made a second trip to the Ukraine, this time with her mother.  Both trips allowed her to find many gems regarding her family history. It gave her a love for her ancestors, and a keen interest in genealogy. With several careers under her belt, she was like a traveling wanderer, not really at peace. A page in an old friend's address book showed twelve addresses in a span of approximately ten years.

 

At the age of 45 she enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces, following in the footsteps of her father and sister. As a child, she remembered watching out the back window of the car as her sister Marianne got on a Greyhound bus, leaving to join the military, and thinking, “I want to be just like her.” She found much fulfillment within the Armed Forces. She accomplished tasks and duties she never thought possible, competing regularly against younger, and (due to her small stature) taller classmates.  She discovered an entire new "family", especially with the Combat Engineers Regiment. One last CHIMO!  The army gave her the opportunity to spend time in several locations, such as Wainwright, Borden, Edmonton, Yellowknife, Yukon, Chilliwack, and South Dakota. 

 

Shirley treasured her children, they were her greatest accomplishment, and gave her much joy. She also loved the mountains, beaches, the Smithsonian Museums, Disney World, movies and date nights with Richard and the children, and Christmas. Public speaking was one of her loves as well, and how many people can say that!  She even joined Toast Masters, just for fun.

 

Shirley will be missed by many. The greatest gift you can give to her is to spread love and be kind to one another. Love does heal, don’t hold it in. Most importantly, forgive yourself.

 

“You are never fully dressed, unless you are wearing a smile.”

 

She loves you, and is watching over you, ready to lend that invisible helping hand, or ready to annoy; whichever she decides will fit the circumstance.

 

Funeral Services will be held The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7017 California Blvd NE Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Brink’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

 

In living memory of Shirley Brink, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

 

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